A bill that would allow Simon in his role as secretary of state to spend the money was vetoed last session.

The $6.6 million federal grant would boost cyber security, such as updating the state's voter registration system.

Simon said the fact that Minnesota has yet to take action on approving the money is a "very big deal" and that it's going to be harder for the state to safeguard its election system.

Simon told KSTP the intelligence community in Washington, D.C., knows that upcoming elections could be at risk.

"We've been told that we are likely to be targeted as a country again not only by the one foreign government but by others, so we know we have to be prepared for this and we need that money to be prepared."

There is a deadline on the money: Minnesota only has five years to use it and the state is already a year in.

A House committee is expected to take up the issue Tuesday.

In this Sept. 20, 2018 photo, voting booths stand ready in downtown Minneapolis for the opening of early voting in Minnesota.